Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

I read it wasn't and then I read it was, but with fewer backpacker budget tourists not on a package vacation. Some say the locals are the most friendliest and accommodating while others say they are intimidating, rude, and even dangerous. Is the Philippines equipped for backpacker travel or would I be in for a huge head ache to expect the Philippines to be accommodating like the Thais? I still have time to choose as I'm not going on vacation until February while many of you go over the holiday season in just 5 weeks from now. Thank you for your well informed comments based on your experiences and what you know.

How does the Philippines compare to other SEA countries? I know there are threads about it, but I still couldn't paint a picture other than you should by pass Manila by immediately taking a domestic flight when your international flight lands and that Cebu is actually a nice city.

I looked at some going room rates and it does look almost as pricey as the west, but some $20 to $30 a night guesthouses were listed. I'm not nearly as concerned over paying $20 a night like I am about the quality of the experience. If you've gone, did you like Philippines or would you go to other SEA countries for a February vacation? Winner or a tosser?

With all the malls, restaurants, and other things the Philippines has, it appears to be a developed wealthy country, but it's actually a poor 3rd world country. A FT I know went last Summer said it was quite a difficult place to go, but really likes the women so he's going back this Winter since he's looking. I'm afraid he's in for a shocker when he gets too involved with who he's meeting on the internet before the trip. I'm kinda worried about him. I know not to get involved in these sorts of things as it centers around money and you might get badly hurt.

How is it so that a 3rd world poor country has so much expensive shopping and eating? I can understand that Boracay is fancy and expensive, because many wealthy tourists go there to golf and enjoy upscale beach resorts on White Sand. BMW voted Boracay to have the most beautiful beach in the world so that indicates the executives go there.(blah boring) It's probably not a place where you can easily casually chat with other travelers and exchange experiences like you do in Thailand, but you can have a Kodak moment with the beach and it's upscale resorts.

I'm wondering if Philippines is worth going to as it has very varied mixed reviews. People have said the Philippines as well as Vietnam are very uncomfortable places to go since you're constantly bombarded by street vendors and scammers and then you get weary that someone might try to hurt you for your money. I experienced constant hassle in Cambodia and felt like I was endangered so I foregone traveling the rest of the country on land all the way to Sinhanoukville as planned. I opted to enjoy more of Thailand the remainder of my time and it was very good.

[jvalmer]

[I-am-me]

[Tiger Beer]

Philippines...true, its not a 'backpacker' destination. It is NOTHING like Thailand. Partly because you can speak English with anyone there, and the country has 7000 islands, so it is hard to find a 'tourist loop'.

When I visit the Philippines, I kinda feel like I'm in a southeast asian version of the United States. You can speak to anyone about anything, you can go to malls, movie theaters, go anywhere and speak English, etc.

Boracay. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But it isn't some boring dull place. Hard to explain, but many famous Philippines celebrities go there, and international tourists, etc. Boracay is a must to see. There are beach bars at night, so you can meet and talk with other people quite easily, if its your intention to talk with others.

Regarding bombarded by street vendors and scammers. Doesn't exist in the Philippines, except for ONE area - Ermita/Malate in Manila. Most of the Philippines, its fine. It isn't like Cambodia or whatever or Vietnam, etc. All the cities have massive shopping malls, and they have everything from pool halls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, internet cafes, workout gyms, airline office agencies, everything. When you are in those shopping malls, they are air-conditioned mini-worlds, feels like you are in a California mall surrounded by people everywhere that are Asian in appearance.

Anyways, I've been to all of the Southeast Asian countries...and the Philippines is the one that I enjoy going to repeatedly. On top of English being prevalant and 7000 islands...I like that it is a strong music culture. You'll see live music all over the Philippines, and they are very talented. In addition, Filipinos are obsessed with dancing, and can really dance. I'd say if you like music, dancing, partying, talking in English with locals, crystal clear transparent ocean water, soft white sand beaches, NOT dealing with backpackers/foreigners/tourists absolutely everywhere, etc., then you'll really like the Philippines. I know I do.

[sojourner1]

Sounds like an awesome place to base yourself for living and working more so than vacationing as a tourist though that would be the 1st thing you'd be in order to get familiar with the country. I'm looking for other places to call home away from home since Korea living is not a very enjoyable lifestyle to me. Hong Kong would be just ideally centrally located, but it seems out of reach to me; need more credentials and connections.

It would be fun to do things like go see a movie, catch a good meal out, chat it up with anyone in public places, walk interesting street markets, got to a tropical beach, and shop at a mall on the weekends. I know I really enjoyed going to Bangkok's Siam Square and Chatuchak market for souvenirs last Summer. They actually had nice Western clothing stores like Dockers and Timberland as well as an Apple dealer at Siam Square, things I'd never seen in Asia before, but were looking to buy. I'd guess the Philippines has a lot more western style, but is a place you could blow $1000 a week easy.

I haven't heard of any sort of job market for foreigners nor of very many visiting the Philippines, but I could be wrong in saying there isn't a good time to be had by foreigners there. Sounds like a great place for an active lifestyle with everything you could need and then some.

[ttompatz]

Long and short answers:

1) cost... It CAN cost as much as you want if you intend to do 5* hotels and resorts. The sky is the limit. On the other end, you can usually find pension houses and budget hotels for about $10 per night once you get away from Cebu.

IF you are on a budget there are LOTS of places away from Boracay, Mindoro, Panglao that are GREAT to visit and can be very affordable.

Northern island of Luzon if you are into treking, volcano climbing, etc.
The eastern Visayas (about 800 islands to choose from) if you are into surfing and lazy days.

Central Visayas (in the general area <> 300km from Cebu) for touristy activities. (Boracay, Alona beach, Camiguin, Malaspacua, etc).

Palawan if you want a unique experience in the jungles or uninhabited islands with their own beach to camp on.

Northern Mindano is another choice if you want beaches and culture.

Southwestern Mindano is not an option for a tourist who does NOT have local expertise or connections.

It is all a matter of your available time, budget and desires.

Low end, you can have a great vacation (nipa huts on your own piece of the beach, and BBQ fish on demand) for as little as $1000 for a couple of months. (think lonely planet - pilot guide videos)

High end you can easily blow through $200+ per day.

I personally found that Thailand was GEARED towards tourists and backpackers. High ($100/day)or low ($30/day) but not much in between. Everywhere was flooded with tourists and it was hard (but not impossible) to really "get away".

.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Backpacker travel should be banned worldwide, IMHO. If you can't afford too travel w/out a backpack then you shouldn't be allowed to....WORD...!

[jvalmer]

[sojourner1]

Wow, we got an arrogant poster with big money. LOL I thought all English teachers were on a modest backpacker budget as this is not a high paying gig like the engineers and business people get though I've seen teachers to claim they are rich and make $8 million a month doing privates. Very funny Mr. Cigarette man.


America is actually a place that's imposed this ridiculous idea that if you can't afford the best or what Mr. and Mrs. Jones considers proper and decent, then you are a have not so you should stay home. I beg to differ as you can still do things cheaply if needing to watch your spending due to not laughing your way to the bank or credit card issuer. It's so funny how millions went into big debt trying to keep up with the Jones in order to be proper which is silly. For example, instead of blowing mucho dollar on fly fishing gear and a huge SUV to properly way to catch trout, I use a $10 lightweight pan fishing spinning reel and go in a modest used car. I don't care what the rich people fishing all around me thought or said as they standards are unrealistic for me, but I did get the same thing out of it as they got.

[kiknkorea]

[partialtone]

[Tobias]

[D.D.]

What's the food like in the Phillipines. What do they eat?

[Faunaki]

meh ... the Philippines what a bore. While there all I wanted to do was go home. It's pricey and parts of Manilla look exactly like Canada. I went for a nice meal on White Beach. The bill came to 150 US.!!! Complete garbage.

Cambodia, Laos, Thailand ten times more exotic, cheap and interesting.


Also have you been to Goa? Very nice place.

[jvalmer]